fall tackle Football faqs
Q – When does registration begin? When does it end?
A – It is live! Will be closed as soon as we fill all teams. Some teams will be at capacity and will require a waitlist.
Q – How/Where do I register?
Q – What ages can play?
A – Our football program can accept players ages 5 through 14.
Q – How is it determined which team my player will participate?
A – Please view the age based tackle football details under Football - General Info.
Q – When does the Fall Tackle Season Start?
A – July 28
Q – Where are you located?
A – We are in the rear of Lakewood Ranch Park, 5350 Lakewood Ranch Blvd. If you turn heading west on Malachite Drive off of Lakewood Ranch Blvd, we are toward the end of the road and you can see our building on the south side of Malachite and Mustang Alley.
Q – How much is registration?
A – Registration cost for the 2025 season is $375.
Q – What do I get with my registration?
A –Each player will receive a reversible personalized jersey, integrated game pants, and a warm-up t-shirt to keep. Socks and equipment bags will be available for purchase as add-ons at equipment fittings. You will also have use of a helmet and shoulder pads both to be returned at the end of the season.
Q – Do returners get priority registration?
A – Returners do receive consideration, but roster spots are not guaranteed.
Q – When are practices?
A – Practices starting July 28 are Monday through Friday 6-8pm. After Labor Day, practices are reduced to three days a week, Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday.
Q – Do you ever practice other than Monday through Friday?
A – Yes, sometimes due to rainouts during the month of August, we may practice on a Saturday or Sunday. We also may practice on a weekend during August in order to get our required conditioning hours in.-
Q – When/Where are the games played?
A – The games are played on Saturdays in the area. We could play teams in Manatee, Hillsborough, Sarasota and Pinellas Counties. The fields are typically no more than 60 minutes away from our home field.
Q – Are there tryouts?
A – No, there are no tryouts. Coaches will do player assessments. They will
then will place them in a position based on performance and where they will fit
best.
Q – How many games are there and how long does the season typically last?
A – Regular Season: There are typically 8 regular season games which usually run through the end of October. We usually have at least 4 home games and the rest are away.
Post Season: After the regular season games are over, there are Conference playoffs for the teams with the best record in their division. If a team wins the Conference Championship, they then go on to play in the Regional playoffs. If they continue to win, at the end is the Regional Championship game. Teams that win the regional championship may advance to national playoffs/championship.
Q – What paperwork is required?
• Original birth certificate (if athlete did not participate in Fall 2024)
• AYF Medical Clearance Form (signed/stamped by a physician & signed by parent/guardian)
• AYF Emergency Medical Form
• Final report card from the 2024–2025 school year
• AYF Waiver & Release of Liability Form
• AYF Image Release Form
• Code of Conduct
• $250 equipment check per tackle football player (held until equipment return)
• $500 volunteer check per family (held until hours are completed or cashed if not fulfilled)
• 10 hrs for 1 athlete | 15 hrs for multiple athletes | 15/20 hrs for scholarship families
● We will need a picture for the info card, but we can take it and print it at the field during an in-person registration. Otherwise, it needs to be a picture with no other people, in focus, no more than two years old, around 2”x2”, and no sunglasses or hats allowed.
Q – How can I find out about important upcoming dates and events?
A – We post all our upcoming events including paperwork turn-ins, uniform fittings, equipment handout, coach meet & greets, etc. on our Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/EastManateeBulldogspw
We also have a calendar on our website where we will add important dates: https://eastmanateebulldogs.com/upcoming-dates
Q – Do your football coaches receive any formal training?
A – Yes, all of our football coaches receive Football training provided by AYF.
Q – Are your volunteers background screened?
A – Yes, all of our coaches, board members, and team parents must pass a FDLE as well as a Multistate Criminal and Sex Offender background screen before they are allowed to fill their volunteer role.